Texas Rangers Spring Training: Tuesday's Recap

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The second day of Texas Rangers Spring Training was busy, but not because of action on the field. Let’s start with the pitchers who didn’t get to participate in live batting practice today.

Tanner Scheppers, who is one of three “auditioning” for the closer role, missed practice today due to back spasms as reported by Anthony Andro via twitter this morning and is expected to be throwing within the next few days.

Matt Harrison hinted at a sore/stiff neck and according to Anthony Andro that was enough for him to be scratched for today.

Rangers Tanner Scheppers scratched Tuesday with back spasms.
— Anthony Andro (@aandro) February 18, 2014

Keeping with the injury theme, Jurickson Profar is still suffering from a sore shoulder due to tendinitis that he was having trouble with before the start of Spring Training. Jon Daniels says that Texas Rangers fans can expect him back around the 2^nd or 3^rd week in March because, well, we need him.

#Rangers GM Jon Daniels on Profar: "There's no room for another setback (to be ready for Opening Day)."
— Richard Durrett (@espn_durrett) February 18, 2014

With all that is riding on ALL the Texas Rangers being healthy not only on Opening Day, but remain healthy throughout the season, I can certainly understand why JD and the coaches are being extra cautious right now.

Tommy Hanson

threw during live BP after

Yu Darvish

and looked good. Richard Durrett caught it live:

Texas Rangers Manager

Ron Washington

and Kansas City Royals Manager

Ned Yost

spoke at the Mayor’s Welcome Back Lunch to kick off the 2014 Spring Training season.

Welcome back to Surprise. Both team managers spoke at today's city luncheon. #RangerST pic.twitter.com/aQ1TYLGDLM
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) February 18, 2014

Richard Durrett caught

Alexi Ogando

and

Jose Contreras

having a bunt contest. Not sure I feel comfortable with this.

Finally, we’ve come to Yu Darvish. He threw 19 pitches in the bullpen and off the mound. His hip and back really don’t appear to be an issue right now, which is great news.

However, Yu Darvish rocked the baseball community today when he cracked a joke about how much the New York Yankees paid Masahiro Tanaka, Darvish thinks they

"gave [Tanaka] a little bit too much.” (Star-Telegram, Drew Davison)"

Then, Yu Darvish and the Texas Rangers tweeted that it was a joke and Darvish thought everyone knew that, which we did.

We knew you were joking! “@faridyu: OMG. Everybody at the press conference knows that I was joking. “@FSSouthwest: Texas @Rangers ace...”
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) February 18, 2014

Apparently, Darvish can’t make jokes, well, at least not about the Yankees and Tanaka. RELAX. ITS BASEBALL. It is nice to see Yu Darvish make a joke and smile.

Like I said, busy day. I can’t wait for Wednesday!

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Texas Rangers Spring Training: Tuesday’s Recap – Yu Darvish and More

By Lisa Weatherall | Feb 19, 2014